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Central Jamaica Conference, at its second Leaders’ Council for 2009,
launched the small group ministry emphasis for 2010 and beyond. This
programme was held on September 13, at Camp Verley, Spring Gardens,
St. Catherine.
Pastor Everett Brown, President of Central Jamaica Conference, made
it clear that this focus is what is needed to get every member
involved in the mission of the church. He stated that, too often the
church relies upon the gifted preacher and the hard working bible
instructors, while the rest of the membership stand and applaud.
“The time has come for all of us to join in the work and do our part
in hastening the second coming of Jesus”, he stated.
Pastor Everett Brown, President of Central
Jamaica Conference, pointing the way forward for the Conference,
small group ministry.
Presentations on the need and dynamics of small group ministry were
done by Dr. Enell Hall, Vice President of West Indies Union; Dr.
Ivor Harry, Youth Ministries Director for Central Jamaica
Conference; Pastor Ronnie Henry, Pastor of the Maranatha District of
Churches in Manchester; and Pastor Everett Smith, Personal
Ministries Director for Central Jamaica Conference.
This focus is actually a revamping of the Conference’s effort to get
the church back to basics. These include bible study, active
devotional life and small group ministry. One may wonder why small
group ministry is considered as basic, but even with a cursory
glance the bible is replete with small clusters of individuals
sharing the goodnews of salvation and if one should look at how this
church, the remnant, came to be, it was through a small bible study
group.
But just in case one may think that crusades, public campaigns and
mega tent evangelism will be relegated to the sideline, think again.
Despite the proven effectiveness of spreading the gospel through the
use of small groups, the bible also outlines the importance of
personal evangelism, for example the woman at the well and also mega
public preaching like that of Peter in Acts 2. Not because of the
renewed focus on small group ministry the others methods should be
abandoned, on the contrary all in tandem should work to hasten the
soon coming of Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
Biblical Foundation for Small Group Ministry
Throughout the bible one can find numerous instances where the
concept of small groups was applied. Take for example when Moses was
burdened with adjudicating over the people of Israel, his
father-in-law, Jethro, suggested that he divide the people and give
the groups to other leaders to lessen the load (Exodus 18:13-27).
Another great example is that set by Jesus Christ when He called and
trained twelve disciples to carry out the mission of His Father
(Matthew 9:35- 10:4 and Mark 3:13, 14). And yet another example is
found in ministry of the early church and how they met in homes and
shared the gospel (Acts 2:46, 47).
Still there are other examples found in Acts 12:12, Romans 16:5,
Philemon 2, Colossians 4:15 and others, but one thing is true, that
God has always used small groups to accomplish great things. Even
bible prophecies concerning God’s last day church, speak about a
small group turning into a large force as they shared the truth of
His words.
Guidance from the Spirit of Prophecy
Ellen G. White has given some very clear directives as to how the
church should go about accomplishing the mission. In the book
Testimonies for the Church she writes, “The formation of small
companies as a basis of Christian effort has been presented to me by
One who cannot err. If there is a large number in the church, let
the members be formed into small companies, to work not only for the
church members, but for unbelievers. . . . Let them labour in
Christlike love for those outside the fold, forgetting self in their
endeavour to help others. As they work and pray in Christ's name,
their numbers will increase; for the Saviour says: "If two of you
shall agree on earth as touching anything that they shall ask, it
shall be done for them of My Father which is in heaven." Matthew
18:19.” (Vol. 7, pp. 21, 22)
In another book she admonishes, “Let there be in every church,
well-organized companies of workers to labour in the vicinity of
that church. In every city there should be a corps of organized,
well-disciplined workers; not merely one or two, but scores should
be set to workimages . .Well-organized work must be done in the church,
that its members may understand how to impart the light to others,
and thus strengthen their own faith and increase their knowledge. As
they impart that which they have received from God, they will be
confirmed in the faith. A working church is a living church. We are
built up as living stones, and every stone is to emit light. Every
Christian is compared to a precious stone that catches the glory of
God and reflects it.” (Christian Service, pp.72, 73)
The How of Small Group Ministry
A small group consist of between 3 and 12 individuals, who meet on a
weekly basis and are brought together because of location or
affinity. The objectives of the group are (1) to nurture:- to help
in the spiritual development of each member; (2) to train:- to equip
members with the tool to effectively fulfil the mission; and (3) to
send:- prompt each member to share the goodnews of salvation.
Steps to forming small groups include:
1. Form an organizing and oversight committee to manage the small
group ministry
2. Select leaders from a list volunteers and train.
3. Allow the small group leaders to recruit membership to the group
whether by location or affinity.
4. Organize the new small groups by setting meeting time and day,
along with the group’s identity.
5. Present the small group leaders and members to the church and set
them apart for this ministry.
6. Start meeting and use the multitude of study materials available
from the CJC Personal Ministries Department.
7. Spread the word.
Small group ministry is advantageous to the church as it lends to
its growth. Growth will be experienced in the size of the
membership, the church’s spirituality, the care and the love the
brethren feel, and stronger leadership core among other things.
Let’s join hands, heart and homes as we unite in small group
ministry, the way forward for the church here in Central Jamaica
Conference.
-Article by Kemar T. J. Douglas
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